Ireland is a country rich in history and story and this September 15th to 21st will see the combination of both being commemorated in a 200th anniversary weeklong series of activities across the Ballyhoura Region. But first we need to go back to when an Ireland Canada connection took place. It is better known as The Peter Robinson Experiment which took place 20 years before the Famine.
This was a scheme funded by the British Government, under the direction of Peter Robinson in 1823 and 1825. Its initiative aimed to relocate impoverished families and individuals in Canada, providing them with support to start a new life. People travelled on eleven ships in total, two set sail in 1823 and nine followed in 1825. They sailed from Cobh and begun a new life in the Ottawa Valley and across Ontario. Over five hundred families from all over Munster, in particular North Cork, Southeast Limerick and the Ballyhoura Region, took up the offer.
Their passage was paid and they received rations for eighteen months once they arrived in Canada. They worked hard, building their homes, businesses, farms and even currachs. So creating communities in a new country. I’m giving a very bare bones account of this period of history here, and I urge you to check out the Ballyhoura website which contains full detail about this historic time. The link will follow at the end of the article.
Why now are we commemorating this piece of our history? Amanda Slattery, Development Manager with Ballyhoura undertook a project, My People, My Place, My Heritage, when she was then Tourism and Heritage Officer in 2012/2013. It included recording old headstones with Eachtra Archaeology, emigration, and the famine, all this providing information about Irish life. She noticed a connection with Canada and on further investigation, Amanda learned of the impact the Peter Robinson Scheme had on the local area. Over time, descendants of those who left got in touch with Amanda on hearing about her project through social media and from there it grew into the commemoration this September.
Over 120 international visitors, and the figure is still rising, will arrive in the Ballyhoura region to learn and discover more about their family connections and walk in the footsteps of their ancestors. Amanda described it as a home-coming while honouring those who took that first step to leave. Like stated there is a packed week of activities happening and everyone is welcome to attend, a link for tickets will follow this article. There you will get further information on all events available across the region.
Specially commissioned by Ballyhoura Development is a new play that will take place in, The Schoolyard Theatre, Charleville. The Robinson Experiment is written and directed by John Sheehy and produced by Cora Fenton of CallBack Theatre Company. This theatre company was set up in 2001 by both Cora and John and has enjoyed much success. They have toured and performed all around the country at festivals and various venues. They acknowledge and appreciate the support they’ve received from Ballyhoura Development, being commissioned to write and produce work through the years originally by Carmel Fox right up to Amanda Slattery today.
Speaking with John, he shared with me how he approached writing his new play, The Robinson Experiment. By placing himself in the shoes of those two hundred years ago, he questioned and thought about how they felt, those that were leaving and those who were left behind. Taking the risk, facing the unfamiliar, the unknown. What were their worries, anxieties, excitement, dreams and hopes? How did families plan their travel with young children?
Once John sat to write, he now knew to set it in the time of the emigration, to let the characters share their tales rather than write a piece that simply honoured the event. This story is from the perspective of a family about to leave, it’s powerful, emotional, with humour and darkness combined. He is also directing the play, but with many years’ experience of acting, writing and directing, John is well placed to bring this play to the high expectations of his former successes such as Set in Stone, Fred and Alice, and Men Without Souls to name a few.
Producing the new play is Cora Fenton, who too has an experienced and varied theatrical career as an actor and producer. While being part of the CallBack Theatre, Cora has acted in their many plays, yet also enjoying success in shows and plays outside of Callback Theatre’s own productions. Asking Cora what were the tasks of a producer, it seemed they were never ending. It involves, contacting PR, organising schedules, facilitating meetings with set designers, costume designers, sound, lighting, and of course the actors. Achieving deadlines so the rehearsals go smoothly and on it goes until the exciting opening night.
The venue, as stated, is the Schoolyard Theatre and Sheila Quealey, member of the theatre’s board said they were delighted to be involved in this project. She said how giving the theatre to host such an important occasion was part of the theatre’s purpose in serving the community.
I watched the three groups involved with this commemoration, CallBack Theatre Company, Ballyhoura Development and The Schoolyard Theatre, demonstrate how those involved in the Arts coming together means we as a community, local and surrounding areas, get to enjoy professional experienced productions that equal those in any corner of this country. Supporting their hard work by attending productions is vital to ensure this amenity continues.
Book tickets on: www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-robinson-experiment-with-callback-theatre-tickets-
History of The Peter Robinson Scheme:
https://visitballyhoura.com/pages/peter-robinson-settlers-story
https://www.ballyhouradevelopment.com/listing/category/peter-robinson-settlers-resources